Editorâ€™s note:This is a guest post from Danielle Edwards – a Literature and History student and an aspiring Journalist.

What an uncanny coincidence that this weekâ€™s posts have all been laced with political themes! Perhaps itâ€™s the inadvertent consequence of the omnipresent political influence of our global leaders. We just canâ€™t seem to get away from their decisions on the type of food we eat, our energy sources, matters of education and even our domestic lifestyle.

There are 5 things you should know about all politicians. Iâ€™m no astrologer, so expect exceptions. But donâ€™t be surprised if there are none.

1.â€˜Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reasonâ€™. ~Author Unknown

The name Robert Mugabe comes to mind. He liberated Zimbabwe in the name of freedom- once dominated by racist and oppressive White people. Through his leadership, it became the â€˜bread basket of Africaâ€™. Today, heâ€™s still in control, uniting with thugs to persecute the opposition- and one U.S. dollar is worth $ 54217199510 Zimbabwe Dollars.

After all, diapers- unlike pampers- can be used after washing. In other words, Iâ€™m not suggesting that we do away with any politician for good- but leaders certainly need to be made aware of the fact that they can and should be replaced from time to time- something they often forget.

2.Politicians donâ€™t believe in loyalty- but they can only survive with yours.

Donâ€™t be surprised if the most principled politicians youâ€™ve ever met switch party allegiance to suit their means. They may proclaim to be the most ethical, decent and god-like creatures youâ€™ll ever meet. But when power hits the palate, itâ€™s a whole new ballgame.

Power isnâ€™t like a drug. It IS a drug. And itâ€™s addictive. Some people will do anything for drugs, and a politician will consider doing almost anything for power. So next time you dare to put your TRUST in a politician, think twice. Some of us canâ€™t trust our girlfriends, boyfriends, sisters, parents, in-laws, classmates weâ€™ve known for 10 years or even our children. So why are we so willing to trust politicians?

Some men change their party for the sake of their principles; others their principles for the sake of their party. ~Winston Churchill

Churchill knew what he was talking about. He was a politician too.

3.A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation. ~James Freeman Clarke, Sermon

Whether heâ€™s doing good or bad, a politician is always thinking of the next election. Bill and Hillary Clinton have shown the world just how much foresight lies within our politicians. Even when they canâ€™t run for the next general election, theyâ€™re paving the way for their wives and political cronies to win. That way, the well never runs dry.

So next time youâ€™re about to believe a politician who promises to fix all your countryâ€™s problems during his next term in office, remember that itâ€™s in his interest to fix none of those problems when elected. If there are no problems left to be fixed, there will be no need for any more politicians.

4.In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant. ~Charles de Gaulle

Somehow, Iâ€™ve always had this ridiculous notion that a good politician should be a servant to his people- not a â€˜headâ€™ or â€˜masterâ€™ or â€˜chiefâ€™ or â€˜lordâ€™. And maybe if more people felt the way I do- and didnâ€™t lionize and idolize politicians, or clap for every single thing they said, or praise and adore them, or request that they fulfill their â€˜visionsâ€™ and â€˜dreamsâ€™ and do us favours and miracles, instead of jobs- they would probably act the part of a humble servant too.

I firmly believe that if we donâ€™t treat politicians like they are any â€˜greater than usâ€™, they will inevitably have difficulty acting like they are. We have, I fear, confused power with greatness. ~Stewart Udall

5.Politicians are supposed to pull the wool over our eyes.

Have you ever wondered how Germans living 65 years ago could declare that they were oblivious to the fact that over 6 million of their neighbours were being forced into concentrations camps and crushed in gas chambers overnight? Or why politicians are always so opposed to the media?

Theyâ€™re supposed to trick us. It can be mathematically explained:

Knowledge = Power

Politicians + All the Knowledge = Politicians with All the Power

But luckily, God gave us eyes to see through politicians, ears to hear the lies, noses to smell a rat, tongues to taste the sweetness of democracy and bitterness of oppression, a brain to think for ourselvesâ€¦ and hands to vote.

It doesnâ€™t matter where you travel in the world, whether itâ€™s on a luxury Cruise to Europe or an African Safari. There are certain essential travel information every traveler needs to know before landing on any island or country. Below are the top ten travel essential information every traveler needs to know before traveling to Dominica:

Passports:

All Visitors to Dominica are required to present a valid passport on arrival. Basically, all need to show a return ticket and some need to have a visa. For Canadian citizens and French national can stay for up to two weeks just by presenting a valid identification. Visitors coming from a specified list of countries, who intend to stay for 21 or less, do no require a visa.

Taxi:

They are easily identified by the letters, H, HA or HB preceding the registration numbers on the number plates. There are standard fees from the city to both airports. The fare from Melville Hall to Roseau is EC$50 and from Canefield to Roseau EC$25.In the Capital Roseau there many different bus stops which will take you the different villages and towns. Note: that the buses have different departure times, so itâ€™s wise to ask a local person or Bus Driver for the best times.

Car Rentals:

If you’re the adventurous kind there are a number of car rental agencies on the island offering vehicles for rent. But before you get on the road, you will need to obtain a driverâ€™s license which cost $30 (US$12). You must be between 25 and 65 years old, with two years’ driving experience to qualify for a driver’s permit. Please note: Traffic use the left side of the road.

Currency:

Dominicaâ€™s local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), which trades at EC$2.67 to US$1.00. Banks will offer EC$2.68 for a US$1.00 travelerâ€™s cheque. Everywhere else on the island businesses accept:

United States Dollars â€“ EC$ 2.67 to US$ 1.00

British Pounds â€“ EC$5.21 to GBR$1.00

Euros â€“ EC$3.51 to Eur$ 1.00

Departure Tax:
Visitors will need to pay an EC$55 departure tax when exiting the island. Visitors can pay their departure at the Airline Check-in counter at the airport.

Accommodations:

Dominica offers a diverse choice of accommodation to match very visitor budgets, personal tastes, or vacation plans. Beach front villas will maximize your appreciation of the island’s rugged coastlines and volcanic black sand beaches. Natural resorts perched in the center of the rainforest provide a soothing getaway to modernity. Mountain top cottages facilitate your hiking expeditions and riverside lodges afford frequent swims in transparently clean rivers. Click the links for information on the different accommodations: Hotels, Guest Houses or Apartments.

Language:

Dominicaâ€™s official language is English; however a large portion of the population speaks Kwe’yo`l, which is syntax burrowed from a variety of West African indigenous languages with is based primarily on French and Carib vocabularies.

Climate:

Visitors to Dominica should expect lot of sunshine (which means you will need to take your Sun block Cream or protective clothing with you to the Beach or River). There are also chances of intermittent rainfall. The island’s annual temperature averages at 27? C. Frequent rainfall cools the tropical heat, nourishes the island’s extensive rainforest, and feeds its rivers, lakes, and waterfalls. On the coast, average rainfall registers 1,780 mm.

Medical Facilities and Emergency Numbers:
On island there are three public Hospitals: the Marigot Hospital, the Portsmouth Hospital, and the premier Princess Margaret Hospital. Intensive care units are only available at the Portsmouth Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).In the event of emergency you can dial 999 for the Police, Ambulance, and Fire Department.

Credit Cards:

Most tourism related business, such as hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and car rental agencies accept Master Card, Visa and American Express credit cards, including Travelerâ€™s Cheques. Most business will also ask you for some form of identification, so its wise to walk with some form for ID.

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Dominica 2 (Bradt Travel Guide) second edition offers practical information on the growing health and wellness holidays, weddings and yachting parties as well as extended coverage of the rich cultural heritage. There is also a new chapter on the highly popular Waitukubuli National Trail.
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